I'm having a symptomless second pregnancy. Is this normal?

Just as every labor is different, every pregnancy is different. Breast tenderness is a common symptom of pregnancy, while other symptoms vary from person to person. It is common to experience varying degrees of symptoms with each pregnancy.

HCG is a hormone made by the placenta, and it's occasionally measured to determine the well-being of the pregnancy. When hCG is administered as an injection, it's only to support the pregnancy by increasing the levels of another hormone — progesterone — not to attain a certain level in the maternal circulation.

An alternative to giving hCG to elevate the level of progesterone is to give progesterone directly. It's controversial whether giving hCG or progesterone is of any true benefit. The best indicator of a normal pregnancy is an ultrasound demonstrating a developing baby with a heartbeat, which can be seen as early as 6 weeks.

Hopefully, by the time you read this, you'll have seen your little one (or at least heard his or her heartbeat) onscreen. Best of luck!

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